Care of Epiphyllum Hybrids

Hybrids of the Epiphyllum species, occasionally called epis for quick, make house plants that are handsome. Native to South and Central America, Epiphyllum hybrids are especially spectacular in bloom. These members of the cactus genus are also occasionally called the âorchid cactus,” even though they’re not connected to the orchid. Unlike desert cacti, rain-forest cacti lack thorns that are sharp, even though they do have small hairlike spines in the joints of the strap-like stems. At night, the blooms of the ephiphyllum open in the in the open. But plant breeders have developed – epiphyllum hybrids with flowers of yellow, red, pink, violet and orange. Hybrids contain Vive Rouge, Padre, Flamingo and Sunshine Goddess.

Routine Treatment

Rain forest cacti epiphyllums need dampness and humidity, but should never be permitted to become water-logged. They choose light that is vivid but filtered, and can burn when they obtain too much sunlight. Epiphyllums do well in normal home temperatures and can tolerate a great greenhouse or sun porch so long as temperatures don’t fall below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. During the plantâs lively period of development in spring and summer, it it takes monthly fertilizing using 101010 plant-food.

Soil and Re-Potting

Hybrids choose a general purpose cactus. It’s possible for you to mix your own by combining one part normal potting mix perlite or sand. Before re-potting is required for as much as seven years in the pot, these crops can develop with excellent soil drainage. Repotting is best done in regards to a month subsequent to its bloom is finished by the plant. Shaking free potting medium off causes the least disturbance to the root ball. If you don’t want the plant to develop bigger, you basically fill out around the sides with clean potting medium and can use the pot. The freshly potted plant WOn’t require watering to get a week, and only mild watering for one month next.

Propagation

Epiphyllums are effortlessly propagated rooting and by slicing one of the leaflike straps. Cuttings are permitted to dry to get a week before they are planted in clear potting medium created from a a combination of three elements allpurpose planting medium and one-part perlite, pumice or bark chips that were tiny. Cuttings take hold most readily when shallowly planted upsidedown, with only a couple of the developing tipâs serrations in the soil. Only mild watering is required by the cutting but shouldn’t dry up. It is going to root, producing a ephiphyllum plant that is new.

Flowers

When they attain about two years of age Epiphyllum crops flower. As the flowers commence to wilt subsequent bloom, you need to in order for them to dry out instead that twisting off them. In the event the plant looks to wilt a bit, there’s absolutely no cause for alarm. It doesnât need additional water, just a quick period of rest after expending so much vitality generating flowers. As soon as they are totally dry, the completed blooms could be cut using scissors or a knife.